Frequently Asked Questions

CDexplorer is a specialized brokerage platform powered by CleverAlpha Securities (a DBA of Velocity Capital LLC, FINRA/SIPC member) that provides investors with transparent access to the CD marketplace — including primary issuances and the secondary market. CDexplorer makes it easy to find, compare, buy, and sell Certificates of Deposit from FDIC-insured banks across a range of maturities and rates.

CleverAlpha Securities is a registered trade name (DBA) of Velocity Capital LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA (CRD #171810) and SIPC. We offer full-service, self-directed brokerage access to equities, options, fixed income (including CDs), futures, and mutual funds. CDexplorer is one of our flagship products.

No. CleverAlpha Securities (DBA of Velocity Capital LLC) is a registered broker-dealer offering self-directed brokerage services. CleverAlpha Asset Management LLC is a separate SEC-registered investment adviser (CRD #301620) offering automated portfolio management. They are related entities under the CleverAlpha brand but operate independently under separate regulatory registrations.

CleverAlpha Securities (Velocity Capital LLC) is registered at 199 Water Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10038. CleverAlpha Asset Management is located at 5155 West Rosecrans Ave, Suite 320A, Hawthorne, CA 90250.

A Certificate of Deposit (CD) is a savings instrument issued by a bank or financial institution that pays a fixed interest rate for a specific term — typically ranging from 3 months to 5 years or more. In exchange for locking in your money for the term, the issuing bank pays a higher rate than a standard savings account.

A brokered CD is a CD that is purchased through a broker-dealer (like CleverAlpha Securities) rather than directly from a bank. Brokered CDs are issued by FDIC-insured banks in large lots and then offered to individual investors through the brokerage. Unlike traditional bank CDs, brokered CDs can be bought and sold in a secondary market before they mature.

Key differences: (1) Brokered CDs can be sold in the secondary market before maturity without a traditional early-withdrawal penalty — but you may receive more or less than face value depending on rates. (2) Brokered CDs give you access to CDs from many different banks in one place. (3) You can hold brokered CDs from many banks under one brokerage account, potentially achieving greater FDIC coverage. (4) Brokered CDs are held in your brokerage account as securities.

Yes — brokered CDs offered through CDexplorer are issued by FDIC-insured banks and are covered by FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, per issuing institution. This means if you hold CDs from multiple banks through CDexplorer, each bank's CDs are separately covered up to the limit. It is your responsibility to monitor aggregate deposits at any single institution. FDIC coverage protects against bank failure — it does not protect against losses from selling in the secondary market before maturity.

CDexplorer provides access to a secondary market where you can buy CDs from other investors before the original maturity date, or sell CDs you hold before they mature. Secondary market CD prices fluctuate based on current interest rates, time to maturity, and credit quality of the issuing bank. Selling before maturity may result in a gain or loss relative to the face value.

A callable CD gives the issuing bank the right to redeem (call) the CD before its stated maturity date — typically after an initial lock-up period. Callable CDs generally offer higher rates than non-callable CDs to compensate investors for this risk. If called, you may have to reinvest at lower prevailing rates.

Click 'Get Started' at the top of the page. You'll complete our online application, which includes identity verification (KYC), financial information, and agreement to our Customer Agreement and disclosures. Most accounts are opened within one business day.

CDexplorer and CleverAlpha Securities accounts are available to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age and have a valid Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number. Additional eligibility requirements may apply based on account type and the products you wish to trade.

To open an account you will need: (1) government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport); (2) your Social Security Number or Tax ID; (3) your U.S. residential address; and (4) your bank account information for funding your account.

You can fund your account via ACH transfer from a linked bank account, wire transfer, or by transferring an existing brokerage account via ACATS. Funds are typically available for trading within 1–3 business days depending on the funding method.

There is no account minimum to open a CDexplorer account. Individual CDs are typically available starting at $1,000 face value, though minimums vary by issuing bank and CD type.

CDexplorer earns a spread on CD transactions — a small difference between the rate the issuing bank offers and the rate displayed to you. There are no explicit commissions or advisory fees for CD purchases on CDexplorer.

There are no commissions or management fees for purchasing CDs through CDexplorer. You may incur costs if you sell CDs in the secondary market (bid-ask spread). There are no annual account maintenance fees. See our full fee schedule in our Customer Agreement.

CD rates are set by the issuing bank based on current interest rate conditions, the CD's maturity term, and other market factors. Rates are fixed at the time of purchase for fixed-rate CDs. CDexplorer displays current available rates across a range of maturities and issuers.

Your brokerage account is protected by SIPC up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash claims) in the event of CleverAlpha Securities' failure. CDs held in your account that are issued by FDIC-insured banks are also covered by FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor per institution. These protections do not cover losses from changes in market value.

SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation) is a nonprofit membership organization that protects customers of registered broker-dealers if the firm fails. SIPC coverage is not the same as FDIC insurance — it covers the return of missing securities and cash in your account, not investment losses. Learn more at sipc.org.

No. CDexplorer is a brokerage platform operated by CleverAlpha Securities (Velocity Capital LLC), a registered broker-dealer — not a bank. Your CDexplorer account is a brokerage account, not a deposit account. Your SIPC and FDIC coverage applies as described above.

Yes. You can verify our registration status, disciplinary history, and other information at FINRA BrokerCheck (CRD #171810).